Tube cutting machine



May 6, 1952 D. ABBEY TUBE CUTTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 May 6, 1952 N. D. ABBEY TUBE CUTTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 KY WE WA D N U 5 L E N Wm 41. PM

y 6 1952 N. D. ABBEY 2,596,062

TUBE CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Nmsnn 13.45.1533! May 6, 1952 N. D. ABBEY TUBE CUTTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 18, 1948 w. 1 1w k 117 III lli Elm qljj-l 116 INVENTOR. NBL 5 m D.ABBEY mid; a.

y 6, 1952 N. D. ABBEY 2,596,062

TUBE CUTTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 rawx 95 JNVENTOR. MEL s on HABBEY M y 1952 N. D. ABBEY 2,596,062

TUBE CUT'IING MACHINE Filed Feb. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG-.19;

'uawreto RAPID E E D 39 INVENTOR.

Ne/san 0. Abbey Wow LEM ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1952 TUBE CUTTING MACHINE Nelson D. Abbey, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to The Etna Machine Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 18, 1948, Serial No. 9,201

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to tubing machines, but more particularly to machines for cutting tubing into desired lengths. I

An object is to produce a tube clamping and cutting mechanism in which the several operating parts function successively in response to hydraulic controls, thereby enabling the operator after proper adjustments have been made, to start the machine in operation so that without further manipulation, the machine successively clamps the tube and severs the same in the desired manner, the severing and clamping mechanism thereupon being successively rendered ineflective automatically, whereupon the machine is ready for the next cycle of operation.

Another object is to produce new and improved manually operated control for regulating the fast and slow movements of the tube cutting tools for readily adapting the machine for different diameter tubes.

A further object resides in providing a machine of the above character with new and improved means for feeding the cutting tools toward and away from the work.

A still further object resides in retarding the working movement of the cutting tool during the final cutting movement, thereby to militate against the forming of burrs or the like normally caused by the relatively rapid tool movement at the end of the tube severing operation.

A still further object is to enable the cutting tool to be moved rapidly to and from the work but to be moved relatively slowly during the cutting operation and to provide the machine with control mechanism which is adjustable to vary the time at which the relatively slow and relatively rapid movements take place.

In one aspect, the invention comprises a tube cutting machine operating under hydraulic controls and hydraulic actuating devices, the machine being so designed that by the actuation of simple controls, the tubing automatically is clamped and held stationary, and successively the cutters operate to sever the tubing and after retraction of the cutting tools, the tubing is unclamped. The machine is then ready for another cutting operation. The cutting tools are rapidly actuated to the work and after the cutting is accomplished, they are rapidly retracted. However, during the cutting operation, the cutting tools move more slowly. By this operation, the tube severing is accomplished as quickly as possible.

Another feature of importance resides in cansing the cutting tools to move at a much slower speed during the final severing movement or in other words, just prior to the break through, the working movement of the cutting tools is slowed so that as the tools pass through the walls of the tubing, the liability of the creation of burrs or roughened edges on the inside of the tube is eliminated or greatly reduced.

For purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine for clamping and cutting tubing, the same being shown in association with a tube feeding mechanism which, however, "forms no part of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation with some parts broken away, of the tube clamping and severing mechanism;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine into which the tubing is fed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the cutting tool actuating collar;

Figure 6 is a composite view in perspective showing the two parts to which the tool carrier is connected and which cooperate with the tool actuating collar;

Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the cutting tool holder and operating spindle therefor;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the machine with parts broken away to show the relation of the clamping and tool feeding mechanisms;

Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view substantially on the line 9--9 of Figure 8, showing the tool holders and associated parts;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line Ill-l 0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the machine showing the adjustable cam controlling device governing the movement of the cutting tools;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line l2l2 of Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view on the line Iiil3 of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic system for the tube clamping and the tube severing mechanisms;

Figure 14A is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of an alternate form of machine showing the tube cutting mechanism by which the cutting tools first move rapidly and then upon the approach of the final cutting operation. move slowly;

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fragment of a tube showing the result achieved by cutting tools which have moved rapidly to effect the cut and illustrating the burrs or flanges created thereby;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view of a tubing showing the cutting tools which have completed their rapid cutting operation and indicating the portion still to be cut and during which the cutting tools arefed'slowlyf Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing the tube after it has been out without the formation of burrs or sharp edges;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the spool or collar carrying the wedge elements for effectin the rapid and slow feed of the cutting tools;

Figure 19 is an enlarged sectional view showing portions of the wedge elements and their operative relation for effecting the rapid and slow tool feed of the cutting tools, the parts being shown at the commencement of the tool feeding operation; and

Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19, but showing the position of the parts at the end of the feeding movement of the cutting tools.

This application constitutes a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 608,885, now Patent 2,484,601 entitled Tube Clamping and Severing Machine,

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a machine for cutting metal tubing or severing a length of'tubing into predetermined shorter lengths and consists in general of mechanism which operates first to, clamp or hold the tube in stationary position and while the tube is so held, to sever the walls of the tube. As shown on Figure 1, the machine is indicated at l and in advance of such machine is a tube feeding machine I l by which the tube may be recurrently advanced to sever from a continuous length of tubing, sections of predetermined length. However, the tube feeding mechanism ll forms no part of the present invention and further described thereof is not considered necessary.

The machine In consists of 'a housing l2 within which the operating parts are housed except for the tube clamping jawswhich are generally indicated at 13, these operating firmly to grip the tubing and hold it in stationary position during the'cutting or severing operation as will hereinafter appear. Referring particularly to Figure 3, the tube clamping mechanism comprises a pair of complementary clamping jaws l4 and 15 which are pivoted intermediate their ends upon a shaft IE carried by a'bracket H which is horizontally disposed and projects from a portion of the housing l2. It-will be observed that each of the jaws l4 and lihave semi-cylindrical projections 18 on opposite sides in order to grip a substantial portion of the tubing.

The clamping jaws l4 and Marc rocked to and from tube clamping position by a toggle I9, the

4 piston rod is moved to the left of Figure 3 whereupon the toggle I9 is straightened out, the clamping ends of the jaws l4 and I5 are moved into operative clamping position and securely held in such position by hydraulic pressure as will hereinafter more fully appear.

As the description proceeds, it will be manifest that after a sufficient length of tubing has been delivered to the machine, the clamping jaws i4 and [5 are first moved into operative position rigidly to clamp the tubing and hold it stationary preparatory to the cutting or severing operation, tubing being introduced into the machine from the right-hand side (Figure l) and extending as far through'as required for the severed tube section. As shown on Figure 4, the tubing T is clamped in position by the clamping jaws l4 and I5 and the forward end thereof extends into an elongate stationary liner tube 24. The outer end of the liner tube 24 is provided with an annular flange 25 through which bolts 26 extend for securing the liner flange to a cap 2'! which in turn is secured by bolts 28 to the housing [2.

Disposed outside of the stationary liner tube 24 and rotatable thereabout i an operating spindle 29 which is mounted for rotation within the housing I 2 on anti-friction thrust bearings 30 and 3|. One race of the bearing 3! is mounted on a collar portion 32 Whichis an integral portion of an annular spindle flange F, the flange being in turn an integral part of the spindle 29. The other outer ends of the toggle links being pivoted respectively to the inner ends of the jaws l4 and I5 and the center of the togglebeing pivotally connected to the forward end ofa piston rod 20. The piston rod 211 has a piston (notshown) at its inner end which is mounted for reciprocatory movement within a cylinder 2lq.f Fittings 22 and 23 are provided respectiyelyjat the outer and inher ends of the cylinder zlto admit liquid under pressure to one side or the other of the piston for moving the piston; rod '20. in ,one direction or the other. Manifestly; when j the piston rod 20 moves to the 'right' of Figure 3, the clamping ends of the jaws l4. and! 5 are rocked away from each other to relea'se..-the tube and when the race of the bearing 3| is mounted on the tubular part 33 of a ring plate 34 which is secured by bolts 35 to a bracket 36 rigid with the housing 12. The spindle flange F has an inwardly extending annular projection 35a which rotates on the outer face of the ring 33 and is formed with a series of ring-like ribs 35b which rotatably fit grooves formed in the ring plate 34 thereby to provide an oil seal between these relatively rotating parts.

Keyed to the spindle 29 is a sheave 31 which is driven by V belts 38 from a sheave 39 mounted on the armature shaft of an electric -motor 4B (Figure 2). spindle 29 is constantly driven by the electric motor 4|] and as will hereinafter appear, the cutting tools are moved to'and from the work while the spindle is rotating.

As shown on-Figure 10, the spindle flange is formed with two pairs of spaced radially extending ribs 4| and fitting on the inside of each of the ribs 4| is a gib 42 and each gib is formedon its inner face with a substantially V-shaped groove 43'. Each gib is held in place by a plate 44 which is secured in place by a series of bolts 45. The gibs may be adjusted toward and away from other by set screws 46;

In each pair of gibs 42 is a tool holder assembly mounted for radial reciprocatory movement for moving the cutting tools to and from the work. The tool holder assembly comprises an elongate wedge carrying member 4'! (Figure 6) provided with .an integral wedge or cam 48, the upper surface 49 ofwhich tapers outwardly from the free end. The wedge 48 projects at substantially right angles from the lower end of; the member 41 and integral therewith is substantially rectangular boss 50. Flaring outwardly from the inner portion of .the boss 50' are tapered guide surfaces 5| which have sliding contact with the inner side of the V-shaped grooves 43 of the gibs 42 (Figure 10). The inner face 52 of the wedge carrying member 41 is flat except for a centrally disposed longitudinally extending semi-circular groove 53 which is formed with screw threads 54.

It will thus be apparent that the A plate member 55 i adapted to abut against the hat inner face 52 of the wedge carrying member ii and is likewise provided with a fiat face 56 and a central longitudinally extending semi-circulargroove 5? which cooperates with the groove 53 and is of similar conformationso that when the two parts are in place, a circular hole is provided for the reception of an adjusting screw as will hereinafter appear. The groove 5? is smooth and free of screw threads.

The platemember 56 is also provided on opposite sides with tapering guide surfaces 99 which engage the outer side of the V groove 43 of the gibs 32. A key 69 (Figure 19) interposed between the wedge carrying member 41 and the plate 56, militates against lateral movement of these parts during operative radial movement thereof.

Formed on the outer face of the plate 55 is a boss 69 and projecting outwardly from the central portion of the boss 69 is a longitudinally elongate substantially rectangular guide key 6! which fits into an elongate groove 62 in an adapter plate 53 which is secured to the boss 69 by screws 64.

Secured to the adapter plate 63 by screws 65 is a tool holder 96 which is formed with an angularly disposed guideway 5i to receive the cutting t tool 99, the latter being adjustably secured in the desired position by screws 69 (Figure 9).

From the above description, it will be manifest that the tool holder assemblies (two assemblies being arranged in diametrically opposed relation to operate against opposite sides of the tube) are radially movable as units toward and away from the tube to be severed, these assemblies sliding in gibs which are carried by and rotate with the spindle flange F. Initial adjustment of each of the above tool holder assemblies may be effected by an adjusting screw it which has a squared upper end 'iI to receive a suitable wrench. The screw I9 fits in the complementary grooves 53 and 57 and engages the screw threads 54 formed in the groove 63. An intermediate portion of the screw has a smooth reduced neck I2 to receive the forked end of a key member I3 which extends through the plate member 95 (Figure and is yieldingly urged into engagement with the screw by a coil spring I4. The inner end of the spring I4 seats in a socket formed in the adapted plate 63.

It will be evident that by adjusting the screw I9, the tool holder may be adjusted radially inwardly or outwardly as desired relative to the wedge carrying member 47. In this mamier, initial adjustment of the tools with respect to the tube to be served may readily be effected.

As particularly indicated in Figure '7, the spin dle flange F is formed in the region of the spindle 29 with a pair of oppositely arranged substantially rectangular shaped guide openings I5 and into the lower portion of each of these openings from the outer side thereof, extends the cam or wedge 99 on the wedge carrying member 41 of the tool holder assembly. Also extending into each of the openings i5 but from the inner side thereof, is a wedge member I6 which is integral. with a collar TI slidable along the spindle 29 but secured for rotation thereto by a key iii. The wedge member has a pair of diametrically opposed wedge fingers, one for each tool holder assembly. The inner face of the finger of each wedge member I6 is formed with a, cam surface I9 which is in sliding contact with the cam surface 49 of the adjacent wedge member 48.

It will be manifest that by movement of the 6. collar TI to the right of Figure 4, the tool holder assemblies will be concomitantly moved radically in a direction toward the tube T to be severed,

such movement being sufficient to cause the revolving cutting tools 69 to cut through the wall of the tube T to effect the severing operation. The chips resulting from the cutting operation fall into a chute 89 (Figures 2 and 3) which leads to the outside of the machine.

Movement of the collar 11 to the left of'Figure 4 releases the wedges 48 of the tool carrying assemblies which are retracted away from the work to their normal inoperative position by coil springs 85, the lower ends of which seat upon a shoulder 92 formed in the spindle flange F and the upper ends of which abut against flattened surfaces on pins 93 which are fixed to the upper ends of each of the wedge carrying members 4'! of the tool assembly.

The collar II with which the wedges I6 are integral, is formed with an annular groove 94 to receive rolls 86 carried by the arms of a yoke 86 which is mounted in brackets 8'! on a portion of the housing. Forming a part of the yoke 86 is an arm 99 to which is pivotally connected the piston rod- 89 which has a piston (not shown) operating in a feed cylinder 99. Fittings 91 and 92 are adapted to deliver liquid under pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder for driving the piston therein in one direction or the other, thereby to impart movement of the collar II in one direc tion or the other axially of the spindle shaft 29.

As above pointed out, both the tube clamping mechanism and the tube severing mechanism are hydraulically operated and for this purpose, an electric motor 93 drives a suitable pump 94 which communicates with an oil reservoir or tank 95. Referring to Figure 14, the pump 94 pumps the oil or other suitable liquid from the tank 95 first to a pressure regulating valve 96 of any suitable design such as to maintain the oil pressure within the line at a predetermined point relieving any excess pressure and allowing liquid thereby to return through a tube 97 to the tank 95. From the pressure regulating valve 96, oil passes to a double solenoid valve 98 and in the normal operation of the machine, liquid passes through a tube 99 from the valve '98, through a valve I99 to the outer end of the clamping cylinder 2| through the fitting 22 thereby causing the clamping jaws l4 and IE to operate as above described, and securely clamping in a rigid manner the tube to be severed. After the clamping operation has been accomplished and pressure builds up in the valve I99, liquid under pressure passes through the tube I 9| through the fitting 92 to the outer end of the feed cylinder 99, forcing the piston therein outwardly of the cylinder and thereby causing the wedge carrying collar ll to move to the right of Figure 5 to move the cutting tools into operative position as above explained.

It will be evident that when the piston and the clamping cylinder 2i moves to the left of Figure 14 to move the clamping jaws I4 and I5 into clamping position, the liquid in advance of the piston is forced from the forward end. of the cylinder through the fitting 23 and into the line I92 to a sequence valve I93 and thence to the tank through a tube I94. It will also be understood that liquid in advance of the piston operating in the feed cylinder 99 is forced through the fitting 9!, through the tubes I95, I96, through the valve mechanism I91, through the tube I98 to the sequence valve I93 from which it returns to the tank through the tube 2 I94.

As will hereinafter appear, the piston rod 89 operating in the feed cylinder 90 moves with relative rapidity to a certain predetermined point of its travel and thereafter moves relatively slow- 1y, which movement corresponds to the feeding movement of the cutting tools into the tube to be severed. It will be manifest from the above description that the oil in advance of the piston operating in the feed cylinder 90 has relatively free passage through the tubes I05, I06 through the valve mechanism I01, tube I08 to the return or drain tube I04. The valve mechanism I01 is closed in a controlled manner so that further passage of oil therethrough from the tube I06 to the tube I08, is prevented. It will be observed that the valve mechanism I01 includes a valve control stem I09 on the outer end of which is a roller I I0. The stem reciprocates and in the inward position operates to close the valve thereby to shut off the flow of liquid from the tube I06 to the tube I08 and in the outward position such as indicated on Figure 14, the valve is open, establishing communication between these tubes. The valve stem I09 is urged outwardly by any suitable spring (not shown) so that the roller constantly engages a cam sector III. The cam sector has a relieved portion II2 adjacent one end thereof and a raised portion II3 contiguous to the relieved portion.

The cam sector III is rotatably mounted on a shaft I I4 (Figure 12) which is fixed to and rotatable with the yoke 86 which actuates the wedge carrying collar 11. Fixed for turning movements with the shaft I I4 and mounted directly beneath the cam sector III is an operating plate II5 which has a laterally extending arm II6. Mounted on a rearward edge portion of the cam sector III is a bracket II1 which is screwthreaded threadedly to receive an adjusting stem H8. The inner end portion of the stem has a collar II9 which is disposed between the forked end of the arm II6 of the plate H5. The inner end of the adjusting stem H8 is connected by a universal joint I20 to a sleeve I2I with which a rod I22 telescopes. The telescoping portions of the rod I22 and the sleeve I2I are such that turning movement of the rod I22 imparts turning movement to the sleeve I2I.

The rod I22 is connected by a universal joint I23 to the stem of an adjusting dial I24. It will be manifest that by turning the dial I24 in one direction or the other, the adjusting stem H8 is turned to effect rotative adjustment of the cam sector II I with respect to the plate II5. In this manner, the time at which the valve actuating stem I09 is actuated is controlled. Manifestly, when the roller IIO engages the relieved portion of the cam sector III, the valve and valve mechanism I01 is open allowing free flow of liquid under pressure therethrough but as soon as the roller engages the raised portion II3 of the cam sector, the valve actuating stem I09 is depressed, thereby closing the valve and preventing flow of liquid through the valve mechanism I01.

Manifestly, the plate II5 which rotates with the shaft H4 and the cam sector III oscillate together, the sleeve I2I sliding along the rod I22 during such movement.

Whenever the valveand valve mechanism I01 is closed in response to the operation of the cam sector III, liquid in the forward end of the feed cylinder 90 then by-passes from the tube I05 to the sequence valve I03 through a metering valve I25 which can be adjusted to control the 8 flow of liquid therethrough. The purpose of the metering valve is to control the speed of the relatively slow movement of the piston rod 89 during the final movement thereof and at the time when the cutting tools are performing their cutting operation. Metering valves of this type are old and Well-known in the art as are the remaining valve mechanisms above mentioned and are available on the market, such, for example, as well-known Vickers valve mechanisms. Detail illustration and description are not considered necessary because they are well-known to those skilled in this art.

From the above description, it will be understood that the clamping mechanism and tube severing mechanism operate in sequence and that the movement of the clamping tools to the work and during the cutting operation are readily controllable thereby conveniently to adapt the machine for different size tubes and for top walls of varying thicknesses.

After the cutting operation has been completed, the cutting tools are first retracted from the work and hereafter the tubing is unclamped or released. Such retracting and releasing operations are controlled by a pair of fingers I25 which are mounted on the yoke shaft II4 (Figures 11 and 14). Interposed between the pair of fingers I26 is a roller I21 carried by a switch arm I28 which is part of the switch mechanism I29. The switch I29 is electrically connected to a solenoid I30 which is one of the solenoids forming part of the double solenoid valve 98. Thus, upon counterclockwise movement of the arms I26 (Figure 14) a predetermined extent sufficient so that one of the arms rocks the switch arm I28 to energize the solenoid I30, the valve therein is thereupon shifted so that the pump 94 may then force liquid into the tube I3I to the sequence valve I03. From the sequence valve I03, liquid flows freely through the tube I08, valve mechanism I01, tubes I06 and I05, to the feed cylinder through the fitting 9I, and thus operates the mechanism to enable the cutting tools to return to their normal inoperative position.

The valve mechanism I01 is such that there is always a free flow of liquid possible from the tube I03 to the tube I06 irrespective of the position of the controlling stem I09. The liquid in rear of the piston within the feed cylinder 90- is forced therefrom through the fitting 92, tube IOI, through the valve I00, tube 09, to the double solenoid valve 98 which is then in' position to allow the liquid from the tube 99 to pass through the tube I32 to the tank 95.

After sufficient pressure has been built up in the sequence valve I03 and which takes place afterthe cutting tools have completed their retracting movement, liquid passes from the sequence valve I03 through the tube I33, through the fitting 23 to the rearward end of the clamping cylinder H to force the piston therein to the right of Figure 14 and cause the clamping jaws I4 and I5 to move apart to their unclamped positions. At this time, liquid from the cylinder 2I is then forced therefrom through the fitting '22, tube I34, through the valve I00 and to the tube 99, and thence to the drain I32 leading from the double solenoid valve 98.

When the above operation has substantially been completed, one of the fingers I26 will have tripped the valve lever I28 to deenergize the solenoid I30.

The above completes the cycle of operation and for the machine again to be rendered effective for tube cutting operation, a control button I35 (Figure 11) must be operated. The control button I35 is electrically connected to the solenoid I35 which constitutes the other solenoid of the double solenoid valve 98 and energization of the solenoid I36 causes the valve therein to operate to enable the pump 94 again to force liquid under pressure to the tube 99 as hereinbefore described. It should be understood that in the normal position forming a part of the double solenoid valve 98, the tube I3I is closed to trap liquid therein and in the tubes associated therewith, to militate against the admission of air therein. It is found that air bubbles in the system militate against uniform operation of the members and particularly is disadvantageous in respect of the feeding movement of the tool assemblies in response to the tube feeding movement of the piston within the feed cylinder 90.

Referring to Figures 14A to 20, an alternate,

form of tool feeding mechanism is illustrated in which the tool or cutting instrument is rapidly traversed to the work as above described, but in addition is moved at a relatively rapid rate to effect cutting through the major portion of the tube walls but just prior to the final break through or severing operation, the tool is moved at a relatively slow rate, thereby to obviate the formation of burrs or sharp edges normally incident to tube cutting operations. After the tubretracted. As shown, a wedge member H3 is provided with a pair of laterally extending integral fingers i'fi which are in diametrically opposed relation, one finger being provided for each of the cutting tools.

The Wedge member 58 is integral with a collar Ti which is slidable axially along a spindle 29 but is secured for rotation to the spindle by an elongate key it. Formed in the collar 'I'I is an annular groove 84 to receive rollers 85*, which are carried by a yoke 85 The yoke 86 operates in the same manner and by the same mechanism described in connection with the yoke 86. The outer surface of each of the fingers 16 is plain and flush with the peripheral surface of the collar T? but the under surface I3! of each finger tapers upwardly from the co1lar,.the larger portion being adjacent the collar. Near the outer or free end portion of each finger is a rounded actuating surface I38, which slidably engages an upwardly inclined cam surface I39 of the respective wedge member 48* forming part of the tool holder assembly, each wedge member 48 except for the cam surface, being identical with the wedge member 48 hereinbefcre described.

It will be observed that th cam surface I39 tapers upwardly rather gradually, an angle of the order of 70 to the vertical being satisfactory.

. The cam surface I39 merges into another upwardly inclined contiguous cam surface I40, the length of which is less and the angularity of which is somewhat less than that of the cam surface Q35. For example, the angularity of the cam surface I 35 may be of the order of 75 to the vertical.

Th collar Ti operates in the same manner as the collar i? above described, in that at the proper time, it is shifted axially to the right of Figure MA, whereupon. the rounded actuating surface of each of the wedge fingers Hi slides along successively the inclined or cam surfaces i343 and I59. The angularity of the cam surfaces :39 is such as to actuate the cutting tool at a relatively rapid rate to effect cutting of th major ,3() ing has been severed, the cutting tool is rapidly portion of the tubing walls. It will be recognized that the angularity of the cam surfaces I39 is of the order of the cam surface i8 hereinbefore described. However, in view of the relieved cam surface I40, which is at a less abrupt angle, the final movement of the cutting tool is materially decelerated so that during the movement of the rounded actuating surfaces A33 along the cam surfaces I 40, the cutting tool moves at a relatively slow rate.

Figure 19 of the drawing somewhat diagrammatically shows the position of the parts at the start of the cutting tool movement, the rapid feed being indicated throughout the extent of th cam surfaces I39 and the slow feed being indicated throughout the cam surfaces I46. Manifestly since the collar 'Il is retracted or moved to the left of Figure 1 1A at a rapid rate, the tools are spring-retracted rapidly as hereinbefore described, the differences in angularity of the cam surfaces I39 and I49 being of importance during the cutting movement of the tools.

The above described structure is advantageous in overcoming difficulties heretofore encountered in the cutting of tubing, because usually where the cutting tool passes at a relatively rapid rate through the walls of the tubing, it leaves sharp burrs or roughened portions, which must later on be filed or ground off. This is illustrated in Figure 15 in which the tools C have cut through the walls of the tubing '1 at a relatively rapid rate and form the sharp burrs M! created by causing the metal to flow inwardly. This is quite objectionable and in order to provide the desired smooth interior for the tubing, added expense is incurred in removing these burrs. As shown in Figure 16, the tools C are advanced rapidly through the major portion of the cutting operation. However, just prior to the break through or the final severing operation, the tools C are advanced relatively slowly and, as indicated in Figure 17, the break through of the tools is sufficiently slow as to eliminate or greatly reduce the formation of the burrs above described. Thus a finer rate of tool feed is effected just prior to the time when the tools break through the walls of the tubing.

From the abov description, it will be manifest that I have produced an extremely practical and efiicient machine by which tubing may be cut or severed. To perform such operation, it is merely necessary to energize the hydraulic system whereupon the tubing is first clamped, then the cutting is performed, the cutting tools being moved to inoperative position before the tubing is released or unclamped. Thereupon, the hydraulic system is automatically rendered ineffective and in order to start the machine to perform its work, the starting control must be manipulated. The movement of the cutting tools with respect to the work is regulated simply by adjusting a dial conveniently located on the machine, thereby enabling as rapid accomplishment of the work as can be efficiently achieved. Thus the machine can be adapted to Work on tubes of different diameters, the tube liner being replaceable without di-fiiculty to accommodate larger or smaller tubing. Another feature of cardinal importance resides in the control of the cutting tools in such manner that they move at a relatively rapid rate until just prior to the break through, at which time they move at a relatively slow rate, thus to ob viate the creation of sharp burrs projecting in teriorly of the tubing.

What I claim is:

1. A tube cutter comprising a support, a tube channel on said support, a head rotating coaxially about said tube channel, means for rotating said head, a plurality of cutting tools, carriers mounting said cutting tools on said head and rotating therewith, said carriers being moveable radially inwardly and outwardly on said head for moving said tools inwardly and outwardly with respect to the tub channel, spring means operatively engaged between said head and carriers for positively biasing the latter outwardly, said carriers having cam members on inner ends thereof, said cam members being substantially concentrically disposed about said tube channel and extending from the inner ends of said carriers axially of said tube channel, said cam members being substantially wedge-shaped in cross-section with the wide ends of the wedges respectively lying at the inner ends of said carriers and with outwardly disposed cam surfaces, a plurality of substantially wedgeshaped cam-engaging fingers concentrically disposed exteriorly of said cam members, said fingers having inwardly disposed inclined surfaces respectively opposite said cam surfaces,'said fingers being mounted on said support for axial movement along the cam surfaces whereby to move said carriers, said cam surfaces of said members each having a first portion of relatively steep inclination adjacent the narrow end thereof and a second portion of relatively lesser inclination adjacent the wide end thereof, fluid-motor and control means therefore for advancing said rfingers l2 first rapidly along part of said-first cam surface portion and thence relatively slowly and steadily along the remainder of said first cam surface portion and then along said second cam surface portion, each of said fingers having an inwardly disposed projection substantially at the free ends thereof for slidingly engaging said cam surfaces,

whereby to space the inclined surfaces on said fingers from the cam surfaces on said cam members.

2. A tube cutter as claimed in claim 1, the first portions of said cam surfaces having an inclination of the order of and the second portions of said cam surfaces having an inclination of the order of NELSON D. ABBEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 9 Date 1,433,320 Wersel Oct. 24, 1922 1,765,208 Cunningham June 1'7, 1930 2,069,107 Greene et a1. Jan. 26, 1937 2,122,204 Gora June 28, 1938 2,262,049 Robinson Nov. 11, 1941 2,285,069 Vickers June 2,1942 2,342,246 Brueckner Feb. 22, 1944 2,373,472 Haumiller Apr. 10, 1945 2,382,020 Nesbitt Aug. 17, 1945 2,484,601 Abbey Oct. 11, 1949 

